Reclaiming and Restoring the Pro-Life Label

Far too many Americans have negative associations with the pro-life movement. It is not uncommon to hear opponents of abortion derided as self-righteous, hypocritical, and even misogynist. As someone who self-defines as “pro-life,” such negative associations grieve me deeply. I would much rather that people connect the term pro-life with phrases like dedicated, caring, showing the love of Jesus, and ministering to people’s needs.

Some of the criticism likely stems from misunderstanding or even mischaracterizations, but some of it has been deserved. A few vocal activists are shrill and insensitive, but most of those in the pro-life movement are warm-hearted, caring people with deep concern for the women and men affected by unplanned pregnancy.

In this essay, I will offer a few reflections on Christian teaching that calls us to oppose abortion, on the politics of abortion, and on some ways the church can work to reclaim and restore a culture of life.

Abortion and Christian Teaching

The Christian prohibition of abortion dates back to the very early church. The Didache is one of the earliest documents of Christian teaching that we have outside the New Testament. This manual for individual Christian living and the corporate life of the church lists abortion as one of many grave sins, exhorting believers:“you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born.”

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible teaches us that human life is a gift from God. The creation account tells us that all humankind bears God’s image and is sacred. In my view, this means that we should value human life and seek to protect it from conception until natural death.

Scripture also calls us to seek righteousness, mercy, and justice, giving particular care to the poor and vulnerable. Women facing an unexpected pregnancy and the lives growing inside them are among the vulnerable ones God calls us to love and serve.

Pro-Life Commitments and the Politics of Abortion

It may seem very hard to find common ground on the abortion issue, for, at the end of the day, the two sides fundamentally disagree about the status of the embryo and fetus. Yet, although the two sides of the abortion debate ultimately reach this impasse, we have many opportunities to seek common ground. Almost everyone agrees that abortion is a tragic decision, so we can at least work together to reduce the number of abortions. We can also find common cause supporting meaningful restrictions on abortion designed to protect women’s health and move us further away from abortion-on-demand.

I support public policy that moves toward an end goal of banning elective abortion with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and threat to the life of the mother. As was common practice in many states before Roe v.Wade, regulations against abortion should penalize the providers, not the women already victimized by abortion.

I don’t expect hearts and minds to change overnight, but those of us who identify with the pro-life movement can cultivate and encourage a culture that values life in the womb and supports women who make the difficult decision to carry a pregnancy to term.

Abortion, Sexuality, and the Church

Many Christians view the abortion issue in terms of “us” vs. “them.” Such a perspective is problematic in at least two ways: it assumes that we need not care about the lives of those outside the church, and it assumes that unintended pregnancy and abortion only affect non-Christians.

The numbers tell a very different story. The sexual practices of unmarried evangelicals look far too similar to those of the general population. According to data reported in the Spring 2012 issue of NAE Insight, 80% of unmarried evangelicals aged 18-29 have had sex, three in ten say they or their partner has been pregnant, and about a third of those sought abortions. We need to acknowledge the extent of the problems within our own churches and encourage responsible, biblical sexuality.

If we want to restore the pro-life movement to one worthy of praise and not scorn, we should demonstrate the depth and breadth of our commitment to the sanctity of human life.

A commitment to the sanctity of human life does not end at birth. Upholding the God-given worth of human beings applies regardless of age; our commitment must continue past a pregnancy and out of the womb. Abortion is a tragic option, but it may seem the only option for a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy with few resources and little or no emotional and financial support. Choosing to continue a pregnancy has real costs, and we need to be right beside women and men in crisis to help bear the burdens.

A pro-life commitment extends beyond the abortion issue. Protecting unborn life is important, but it is only one aspect of upholding the dignity of human life. As followers of Christ, we must seek justice for all humankind–regardless of age, social status, or geography. We often turn a blind eye to the pain and suffering of children and adults all around us, tacitly accepting poverty, hunger, disease, discrimination, racism, and other evils that devalue God’s image-bearers. A deep commitment to the value of human life is sweeping and difficult, and it should challenge us each to the core.

As we work to protect the value and dignity of all human life, we must do so in a spirit of humility, sharing God’s mercy and love. As sinners living in a fallen world, we should serve out of our brokenness and gratitude, not out of high-minded pride or a false sense of superiority. Christ was forsaken and condemned so that we would be forgiven and accepted.  How much more should we share His acceptance and forgiveness with those around us?

The ultimate expression of valuing life and the clearest way that we can live out the challenge to uphold the God-given worth of human beings is by loving our neighbors as ourselves and seeking ways to minister to their needs.